Cornwall Council is giving residents some carbon-cutting tips to kickstart 2022 with positive climate action.
As we help Cornwall work towards becoming carbon neutral, here are some New Year’s resolutions ideas that can lower carbon emissions, protect nature and wildlife and in some instances save money:
Save energy at home
With up to a quarter of Cornwall’s emissions coming from heating and powering our homes, look at ways to improve your insulation, install double glazing, or hang thermal curtains and fit foam strips in doorways to prevent draughts. Community Energy Plus give advice on heating and insulation grants, reducing your energy bills and combatting condensation.
View our Winter Wellbeing programme informationReduce car travel
Road transport is one of our biggest carbon emitters with 14.9% of Cornwall’s emissions coming from cars. Look at greener ways to travel such as taking a bus or train or get physically active on shorter journeys by walking or cycling. Consider an electric car when you next purchase or hire a car.
View our Sustainable Transport infomation
Repair, reuse and recycle
Waste is our fifth biggest emitter, so it’s important to buy sustainable, recyclable and repairable products. Can you repair rather than replace or buy second-hand? Repurpose, recycle or re-gift unwanted Christmas presents.
View our tips on recyclingSupport sustainable food
More than a fifth of Cornwall’s emissions come from agriculture and meat production has a higher carbon footprint. If you don’t want to become a vegetarian or a vegan, can you go meat and dairy-free one day a week? Try to buy more locally produced or grown food with fewer carbon miles and avoid overpackaging, only buy what you need and use up leftovers to reduce food waste and costs.
'Love Food Hate Waste' website
Bring more nature into your community
Get involved in the Forest for Cornwall by planting a tree or join a community tree-planting project. Re-wild a part of your garden to help nature and wildlife or find a local scheme to help with improving biodiversity or carbon reduction.
Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “As a Council we are working with our partners and businesses and other organisations to reduce carbon emissions. But you can influence businesses too and make changes in your own lifestyle that will directly affect carbon emissions and help combat climate change.
“Make 2022 the year to lower your carbon impacts, help tackle the climate emergency and bring more nature into your community.”